“This is a good victory for us before heading into the heart of our conference season,” said Fiore. “We know what we’re capable of with the experienced team we have, and we’re determined to start strong in the New Year and play our best basketball as this season moves on.”

Caldwell and West Essex are both members of the Super Essex Conference-American Division and will meet up once again on Thursday night, Jan. 8, in North Caldwell.  

The Chiefs are home on Saturday (Jan. 3) vs. Wayne Hills at noon in independent action, while West Essex hosts Cranford at 11:30 a.m.

NOTES- Verona defeated Cedar Grove, 50-21, in the WEAHHF third-place game...Among those taking in the action on Monday in the Codey gym were former NBA and Villanova star Kerry Kittles, former Essex Catholic coach Bill Kehoe and former West Essex, Bloomfield and Parsippany boys basketball coach Mike Tierney...Caldwell's Keenan has a scholarship offer from Wagner College and has also received interest from NJIT as her recruiting process is just in the beginning stages.

West Essex Area Holiday Hoops Festival Final:

WEST ESSEX (3-2)      13     19     3     3    -38
CALDWELL (4-0)         15       7   20   16    -58

West Essex: Jordan Salisbury 2-0-7-12, Ava Brignola 1-1-4-9, Madeline Schlosser 0-0-2-2, Elyana Ghattas 2-0-0-4, Lexi Castro 1-1-0-5, Riley Guevera 3-0-0-6, Brooke Balzano 0-0-0-0. Totals: 9-2-13-38

Caldwell: Tea Fiore 6-0-2-14, Addy Keenan 6-2-10-28, Fallon Fiore 1-0-0-2, Aailyah Rodriguez 2-0-0-4, Elena Kearns 2-0-0-4, Scarlett Schlomann 1-0-0-2, Adriana Brown 2-0-0-4, Kaci Pace 0-0-0-0. Totals: 20-2-12-58                

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